VSU was passed by the Senate on Friday December 9. There was only one amendment to
the legislation; instead of being implemented from 1 January 2006 it will now take effect from
1 July 2006.
The complete Hansard from last Friday is available at:
http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/senate/dailys/ds091205.pdf
No big surprises that the VSU bill was passed (Third reading stage ) by 78 to 58 in the House of Reps.
Tony Windsor's and Jenny Macklin's amendments were voted down No sign of the touted National Party amendment although they could move it in the Senate.
Brendan Nelson's amendment ( that students enrolling after mid 2006 cannot be charged a compulsory fee, and that from 2007 all students cannot be charged a compulsory fee) was passed.
Felix and UQ President Leah (who has been regularly liaising with Barnaby) left the NUS Conference and are in the parliament house today and will keep us updated with regards the backroom negotiations on the Senate vote expected tomorrow.
The second reading stage of VSU Bill was just passed 77 - 55 in the House of Reps. There is now a 1 hour debate on amendments.
The weekly joint Liberal-National Party caucus in parliament just finished and today's daily program just came out following this. They are devoting virtually all of today's Government Business session (normally from 4.30 - 9 pm) to the VSU Bill. There was no mention of an amendment to the bill (ie campus referenda) being passed by the joint party room.
We hoping that with the mess that Nelson had got himself into over the couple of days that it might disappear. It looks like the government
is committed to finishing it up in the House today and forcing a vote in the Senate over the last three days this year (the Senate is
currently scheduled to debate VSU on Thursday morning). It also appears that the model will be the current bill (with the government
amendment that it commences mid 2006).
The VSU debate is scheduled for the House of Reps tonight and is currently scheduled for the Senate at 9.30 am on Thursday. Click here for the NUS media release.